Elderly man dies from fall after railings collapse

A rusting set of railings led to the accidental death of an 86-year-old man who was described by his family as a “unique and special individual. The inquest into the death of James Gynn, who passed away on August 5, 2016, heard how the retired local government officer lived at a two-bedroom apartment within a block of 24 properties in Westgate Mews, Launceston which was maintained by Hanover Housing Association. The jury at Plymouth Coroner’s Court heard how Mr Gynn and his wife Margaret were preparing to go out on the morning of August 3. In a statement which was read out, Mrs Gynn said her husband had gone out of their front door onto a walkway which ran in front of a number of the ground floor apartments. However, because the block was built on a slope, the ground-floor was set around six foot above the car park. A set of railings ran alongside the walkway and she explained how she saw her husband, who had served in the Royal Artillery, standing by a narrow railing in front of their apartment. She went to get something inside their home and when she turned back he had vanished, as had the narrow railing. She moved to the walkway and saw James, six feet below her, face down on the ground, the railing nearby. Racing down she found he had suffered a severe injury to his head and she cried for help. Other residents came out and she called 999. Paramedics… [Read full story]